Softball Splits with Carthage, RIC in Florida Finales

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – On the final day of their Florida swing, the Wentworth Institute of Technology softball team (4-6) posted a commanding 7-0 win over Carthage (1-1) in the Firebirds' season opener. The Leopards fell to Rhode Island College (1-1) by a 7-3 score in their second bout of the day.

GAME ONE: WENTWORTH 7, CARTHAGE 0

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Leopards broke the scoreless tie with a hard-hitting second inning, beginning with a Linnea Carlson double that plated a run by Lexi Lefkowski. A single by Jenna Roche later in the frame with two runners on base drove both home, marking a 3-0 score.
• Wentworth doubled their lead to 6-0 later in the inning as first, a ground-rule double from Kyla Igawa plated another two runners to mark a 5-0 score. Later, a groundout from Jess Rowe brought home Kesley Medalia, pushing the advantage to 6-0.
• Another single from Carlson in the fifth inning drove home Lefkowski, giving the Leopards a 7-0 lead. Julia Malowitz was lights out in the circle for Wentworth, striking out four batters and only surrendering five hits in a complete game. Offensively, four Leopards paced the team with two hits apiece, including Lefkowski who also notched two stolen bases.  

SERIES NOTES:

• Today marked just the second all-time meeting between the two teams.

GAME TWO: RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE 7, WENTWORTH 3

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Anchorwomen posed a 2-0 lead in the first frame as a double by Reilly Austin plated two base runners. However, the Leopards cut one run out of the deficit in the second inning as a Katie Kranz single drove home Lefkowski to mark a 2-1 game.
• RIC stretched their lead to 7-1 in the fourth inning, thanks mostly to help from a single and a double with the bases loaded. The Black & Gold clawed back in the sixth inning, starting with a Kayla Richard single to plate one run. Later on, a double from Carlson drove home Kranz, marking a 7-3 score.
• With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Rowe managed to snatch second with a double. However, the Anchorwomen retired the following batter, holding on for a 7-3 win.
• Carlson led the offense, going 3-for-3 with a RBI. Julie Schriver took the loss in the circle, striking out three in three innings of work before Rowe only surrendered one hit and left four batters empty in relief.

SERIES NOTES:

• Today marked the first-ever meeting between the two teams.

NOTEWORTHY:

• Igawa now sits two hits shy of 100 in her career.
• Leopards Head Coach Erica Castro now sits just two wins shy of 100 in her career.

NEXT UP:

• The Black & Gold travel back to Boston and pay a visit to Brandeis on Saturday, March 15.
  
  

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